The Word for Whenis a collection of poems of serenity and yearning, relationships and faith, memory and hope. The book is a kind of pilgrimage, beginning in the realm of "Then," which includes visits to the French-speaking rural Missouri of the author's mother's family; "Now," which asks questions of present and imminent conditions; and ending in "When?" hoping for joy, reunion, and love. The poems previously appeared in Louisiana Literature, Journal of College Writing, Ekphrasis, and other venues.